Dear Community Friends,
At this past Monday’s township committee meeting on Sept. 11, we had the privilege of recognizing the Mantua Little League Coach Pitch Team who won the Small Town Championship and went undefeated in the tournament series back in June.
This is only the second district win overall for Mantua Little League from all divisions since 2008, and the first since 2021. We presented each young champion with a township proclamation. Congratulations to Jackson Blenderman, Benjamin Ehret, Devon Fuentes, Miles Genzel, Ellis Jones, Rhys Kovalevich, Ajay Olsen, Anthony Paladino, Oliver Thompson, Gavin Viereck, Charlie Visalli and Jaxon Whitley.
We’d also like to congratulate and extend our gratitude to the following coaches who are incredible teachers of the game, and have exemplified great leadership toward their players: Head Coach Coaches Jeff Genzel and Brian Ehret. Assistant Coaches Dan Olsen, Andy Whitley, CJ Visalli and Emily Ehret.
A proclamation was presented at the Sept. 11 meeting recognizing September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Mantua Township. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men in the United States, and is the third leading cause of cancer death behind lung cancer and colon cancer. In New Jersey alone, an estimated 9,460 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed, and an estimated 730 deaths will occur this year. If caught early, prostate cancer has a five year survival rate of nearly 100%. We encourage men in our community to help spread awareness and to get annual screenings.
The annual Patriot Day Ceremony was held on Monday morning, Sept. 11. A very solemn and somber affair, yet many continue to show-up each year to pay their heartfelt respects to those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. We honor and remember all those who perished on this horrific day, and stand-by their families, especially our very own Rodak family of Mantua Township. Our thoughts and prayers are always with Joyce (Rodak) and her family. This year Joyce’s daughter, Chelsea gave birth to Angelina Christina on 9/11 at 9:10 PM. Joyce describes the gift of her second granddaughter as, “a sign from our leader (John) that he will never leave us.” God bless the Rodaks and welcome Angelina Christina.
The Township Committee and our Recreation Committee hosted a Bonsal Blues Concert on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at McCarson Park. It was a perfect night for music and fun for all ages. For those that don’t know, the Bonsal Blues is a family oriented community band located in Woodbury N.J. out of American Legion Post 133. They have been performing since 1948. We hope to bring them back to our community for future performances.
Micro surfacing began earlier this week in the Crescent Hollow and Chapel Ridge developments and is expected to be completed by the week’s end. We anticipate that the Spring Valley development will be started by the end of this week, and completed by the beginning of next. Unfortunately, inclement weather and wet roadways inhibit this application process and ultimately have caused some minor delays. We apologize for any inconveniences, however, it’s typically only a two day project in each respective development. A small inconvenience for those who are benefitting by the new resurfacing of their neighborhood roads.
Fall season is just around the corner. The leaves are starting to drop, and hopefully the temperature will as well. Please remember as autumn approaches that leaf season does not officially begin until Monday, Oct. 30. We ask that residents hold off from putting any excess leaves curbside until Oct. 30, however in the meantime, smaller amounts of leaves can be discarded in the township-issued green carts and placed curbside during normal trash removal days.
Save the Date – the Mantua Township Police Department will be hosting a Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Target and Starbucks on Woodbury-Glassboro Road. Stay tuned for further information, and plan on stopping by for a free cup of coffee and chatting with officers from the PD, myself and other township committee members.
Our Disc Golf Course at Chestnut Branch Park will be set for play beginning Saturday, Oct.14. We plan on a grand opening for the first nine holes on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. Stay tuned for additional information on this very exciting news.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. is the next Municipal Utilities Authority Meeting at the Municipal Building.
- Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. is the next Land Use Board Meeting at the Municipal Building.
- Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. is the next Fire District Meeting at the Sewell Fire Station.
- Saturday, Sept. 23 is the next Convenience Center Drop Off at our Public Works facility between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and myself, and the entire Township Committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership!
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
